Sheet feeding and overlapping mechanism



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ATTORNEYS Oct. 24, 1939. F. RENz SHEET FEEDING AND OVERLAPPING MECHANISMFiled arch l0, 1938 v' 2 R. m 1 m l@ W m 1 uw mh 1 e E E s`N N 2 liv WJM. NVN I l@ ,INNI

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BY Eaerz'ck R @nlJ M fw ATTORNEYS Patented oci. 24, 1939 PATENT oFFlcESHEET FEEDING AND ovElsrlzlilrme.4

MECH

ANISM neaeriek Renz, Forest mns west, N. Y.

Application March 10,

I 6 claims.

This invention relates generally to sheet feedringapparatus and broadlycomprehends an improved mechanism for receiving and overlapping sheetswhich are fed singly and in spaced relation thereto and for presentingthe samein their overlapped relation to the receiving box of a layboy orother sheet stacking lapparatus so as to obviate any possibility ofcollision between the Ltrailing edge of a preceding sheet and theleading edge of a following sheet as the same enter the receiving box ofthe layboy.

- The invention broadly resides in an improved mechanism of theindicated character and for the purpose specified wherein means isprovided for arresting the sheets in their movement so that a precedingsheet, while so arrested, is overlapped by `an adjacent following sheetand the overlapped arrangement of the sheets maintain until they enterthe layboy receiving box.`

More particularly the invention contemplates a sheet yarresting meanswhich is controlled by the sheets themselves and wherein each sheetactuates the arresting means to stop itself and wherein a precedingsheet which has been arrested is released by a following sheet as itreaches a predetermined point.

The invention,y furthermore, embodies means for so conveying the sheetssubsequent to their overlapping as to maintain proper alignment of theirside edges as they enter the layboy receiving box thereby insuring aneven jogging of the sheets therein.

The invention, furthermore, includes means for regulatingthe` pressureof the sheet arresting means so that the to a'stop thereby avoidingbuckling of the rear portion of the sheet being arrested and causing thesame to lie flat on the conveyor means to prevent collision of thefollowing sheet during the initial overlapping thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a sheetoverlappingA mechanism which ispositive in .its action, comparativelysim- 45 ple in its construction and mode of operation and which may beeconomically manufactured and installed.

With the above in view, the invention is set forth in greater detail inthe following specification, illustrated in thev accompanying drawingsand particularly pointed out in the appended claims which covervariations and modifications not speciflcally disclosed, but which fallwithin the scope of the invention.

sheets are not abruptly brought enumerated and other objects y 1938,Serial No.- 195,103

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating -a sheet overlapping andfeeding mechanism con'- strueted in accordance with the inventionY andshowing the same interposed between a layboy and a feed from a source ofsupply of sheets.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view thereof.

n Fig. 3 is a detail perspective viw of the means 1for controlling thesheet arrestingmeans.

Fig. 4 is 1any enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic side view with partsshown in sectionv illustrating the sheet arresting means in its activeposition.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a sheet on the *feeding conveyor inengagement with the switch arm and breaking the circuit to render thesheet larresting means inactive.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, I0 designates aseries of conveyor cords upon which are fed, from a source of supply, a

ksuccession of sheets lS which are spaced apart longitudinally of theconveyor cords as the upper leads thereof travel in the direction `ofthe arrows towards and around the driven peripherally grooved roll IIwhich is mounted to turn on a transverse axis. superimposed upon theroll II in staggered relation to the conveyor cords I0, are a series ofidler wheels I2 `having rubber or other suitable yieldable treads I3which bear upon the periphery of the driven roll I I to impart turningAmotion to the wheels. The wheels I2 are secured to an idler shaft I4mounted for rotation on a transverse' axis parallel to the axis ofrotation of the roll I`I and Asaid shaft has secured thereto pulleysheaves I5 which, .together with the shaft I4, are rotated in unisonwith the wheels I2 by their frictional contact with the roll A guideplate I6 having a downwardly curved forward edge I1 is supported at thetransverse medial portion of the roll II and is located within a medialperipheral groove I8 formed on the roll so that itsupper surface isflush with the upper portion of the periphery of the roll I I. The guideplate is provided with a central longitudinal notch I9 which opensthrough the rear edge and extends forwardly therefrom.

The overlapping mechanism or unit includes a pair of driven conveyorrolls 20. and 2| which are mounted to turn on transverse axes parallelto the axis of the roll II and are spaced apart longitudinally of themechanism or unit with the upper portion of the peripheries of the rolls20 disposed in a horizontal plane below the plane of the upper leads ofthe conveyor cords I0. The

. 10..tapes 22, overhead A ly from the roll 26 to the roll 2| 34 to rockthe shaft :011s :cena 2| have trained leads of ywhich are adapted toreceive thereon the sheets S as they' leave the roll II and which arefed longitudinally beyond the roll by the action of the conveyor cordsI8 and the feeding action of the idler wheels I2 impinged upon androtated by the periphery of lthe roll II. e

In order to hold down and guide the leading edges of thesheetsdownwardly onto the conveyor which are trained around the pulley sheavesI5 on the idler shaftI I4 and around idler pulley sheaves 24 which arerotatably mounted on a transverse axis such 4as the rock shaft 25, thelower leads of the guide cords 23 being inclined downwardly from thepulley sheaves I 5 to the idler pulley sheaves 24 so that said guidecords 23 extend longitudinally of and above the upper leads of theconveyor tapes 22.

`A guide roll 26 mounted for rotation on a transverse axis is interposedbetween the conveyor rolls 28 and 2Ifandis so positioned that the upperportion of its periphery is in a plane slightly above the plane of theupper portions of the peripheries of the rolls 28and 2I so that theupper leads of the conveyor tapes 22 incline slightly from the roll 28to the roll 26 and decline slightthereby causing the sheets as they areconveyed on the upper leads of the conveyor tapes 22 to assume alongitudinally angulated position for a purpose which will behereinafter set forth.

A iixed non-rotary transverse rod 21 extends across `the overlappingunit or mechanism beneath the upper leads of the conveyor tapes 22 andsaid rod has secured thereon a pluiality of transversely spacedabutments 28 other yieldable material which are staggered with referenceto the conveyor ,tapes and the upper surfaces of which are disposedslightly above the upper surfaces of the upper leads of said conveyortapes to allow free runningof the tapes when the sheet is arrested.

The rock shaft 25, in atddition to serving `as a mounting for the idlersheaves 24 has secured thereto and projecting therefrom a plurality ofstop ngers 29 corresponding in number to the number of abutments 28 andthe free terminals 38 of which overlie the abutments 26.

The rock shaft also has secured thereto a radially projecting actuatingarm 3I which is con-v nected by a pin 32 to a vertically disposed shift-bar 33 which is in turn adapted upon shifting upwardly to rock theshaft 25 in a direction to raise the stop finger terminals 38 withreference to the abutments 26 and upon downward shifting movement toengage the stop finger terminals 38 with the abutments 28. The bar 33 isshifted upwardly by means of a coiled contractile spring 34 which isconnected at its lower terminal with the bar and anchored at its upperterminal to an overhead support 35. The lower end of the shift bar 33 isconnected to the movable core 35 of a solenoid 31 which when energized,shifts the bar 33 downwardly against the action of the spring l 25 in adirection the stop finger terminals 38 against the abutment elements 28.

'I'he solenoid 31 is arranged in an electrical circuit 38 including asource of supply 33 and a switch 48 which controls the opening and clos-38 to energize and de-energize The'switch 48 is provided with a fixedcontact 4I and a movable contact 42 and guide cords 23 are provided ofrubber or to impinge e the movable contact is carried by an actuatingarm-43 which is fulcrumed as at 44 and the terminal of which arm i ofthe guide plate I6 and into a peripheral groove that the switchcontrolling in the path of movement of the sheets S as they are conveyedbythe conveyor extends through the alotv I l cords I8 over the upperportion of'the periphery of the roll II and over the upper surface ofthe guide plate I8, it being apparent that the 4sheets S as they moveover the lguide plate, will lift and retain the switch position and whenso elevated the movable contact 42 will be out of engagement with thefixed contact 4I of the switch. It will be likewise apparent that whenno sheet is in a position to retain the switch arm 43 in its upperposition, the same will drop by gravity to its lower position so as tocause the movable contact 42 to engage the fixed contact 4I, thusclosing the circuit 38 to the solenoid 31. 'In addition to the conveyortapes 22, the overlapping mechanism has extending longitudinallythereover a series of upper cords ,58, the 'lower leads of which overliethe upper surfacesot and move inthe same direction as the sheets. The

lower leads of the conveyor cords '58 are impin 26 so as toex'ert apressure on the sheets in the region thereof which is passing over theroll 26.

The overhead cords 58 are trained around a sutable supporting idler, notshown, and around -In use and operation, as the leading edge 'of thefirst sheet S engages the switch arm 4'3 and raises the same, thecircuit 38 is broken thereby de-energizing the solenoid 31 to permit thespring 34 to raise the stop finger terminals 38 out of engagement withthe abutments 26. As the sheet enters the overlapping unit and isadvanced and guided by the overhead cords 23 onto the conveyor tapes 22to a position between the separated stop finger terminals 38 and theabutments 28, 1t

will be automatically arrested and prevented from further longitudinalmovement towards the layboy as soon as its rear or trailing edge hascleared the switch arm terminal 43 due to the fact that the switch armwill drop and close the circuit 38 thereby energizing the solenoid. Itis apparent that the energized solenoid vwill pull the cere as thereofdownwardly together with the shift bar 33 to impinge the stop fingerterminals 38 against the abutments 28 thus clamping the sheettherebetween. It should, however, be noted that the trailing edge ofsaid sheet will at this I8. As soon as the leading following sheet Sengages dge of the second or with and raises the switch arm 43 to breakthe'circuit, thesolenold control arm 43 in an ,elevated It should herebe noted tapes In and in practice it has been found that the ratio-ofthree to 1 operates satisfactorily, that is, the conveyor cords l travelat a rate of speed three times that of the conveyor tapes 22. It thusfollows that when the leading edge of the second l lapthe trailing edgeof the rst or preceding sheet, while continuing to increase the overlapdue to the difference in the rate o f speed at which it is fed until itsvtrailing edge passes beyond the switch arm and again causes the circuit38 to be closed for energizing the solenoid. At this time, the trailingedge of the second sheet will, due to momentum, have passed beyond theroll 4l I, while the leading portion thereof has advanced to a positionbetween the separated vstop finger terminals 30 and abutments 28 so thatsaid second sheet will be gripped and arrested in lits movement, whilethe trailing-edge of the first or preceding sheet will have beenconveyed beyond the stop ngers. Immediately following this, the leadingedge of the third sheet will engage and raise the switch arm to breakthe circuit thus releasing the rsecond sheet while still in overlappingrelation to the first sheet and the same will then be conveyed togetherin overlapped relation upon the conveyor tapes 22. The operation isrepeated on eachsucceeding sheet so that the sheets are uniformlyoverlapped a predetermined'distance and are conveyed on the tapes 22between the intake roll 55 and the intake wheels 56 of the layboy andpresented to the layboy in their overlapped relation.

In order to maintain a proper alignment of the side edges of the sheetsduring and subsequent to their overlapping and to insure their enteringthe layboy with their side edges properly aligned whereby to cause evenjogging of the sheets in the receiving box, the sheets are caused toassume a longitudinally angulated position by the longitudinalangulations of the upper leads, of the conveyor tapes 22. This resistsany tendency of the sheets to become misaligned at their side edgesduring and subsequent to the overlapping operation. Means is providedfor regulating the pressure of the stop fingers against the abutments 28so that the sheets will not be abruptly stopped and to thereby avoidbuckling of the rear portion of the Ysheets as they are arrested. Thismeans consists of the employment of set screws 60 threaded through thecollars 6l which carry the stop fingers 29 and set screw 62 on thecollar 63 which carries the actuating arm 3|. Either of the fingers maybe adjusted individually or the collar of the actuating arm adjusted toaccomplish this end.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for overlapping and presentingsheets in overlappedrelation to a layboy comprising means for conveying the sheets to thelayboy, means for feeding the sheets in spaced relation to said conveyormeans, said conveyor means being disposed in a plane below and operatedat a lesserspeed than the" feeding means, means for arresting themovement of a sheet on the conveyor means so that said sheets areoverlapped during the arresting thereof on the conveyor means while theconveyor means continues to move to present previously overlapped sheetsto the layboy, and means controlled by the sheets for effecting theactuation of the sheet arresting ,v

means.

2. Amechanism for overlapping and presenting sheets in overlappedrelation to a layboy comprising means for conveying the sheets to thelayboy, means for feeding the sheets in spaced relation to said conveyormeans, said conveyor means being disposed in a plane below and operatedat a lesser speed than the feeding means, means disposed in the path ofmovement of the sheets on the conveyor means for arresting the movementof .a sheet on the conveyor means so that said sheets are overlappedduring the arresting thereof on'the conveyor means while the conveyormeans continues to move to present the previously overlapped sheets tothe layboy, and means disposed in the path of movement of the sheets onthe feeding means and controlled bythe sheets for effecting theactuation of the sheet arresting means. f

3. A mechanism for overlapping and presenting sheets in overlappedrelation to a layboy comprising means for conveying the sheets to thelayboy, means for feeding the sheets in spaced relation to said conveyormeans, said conveyor means being disposed in a plane below and operatedat a lesser 4speed than the feeding means, means for arresting themovement of a sheet on the conveyor means so that said sheets areoverlapped during the arresting thereof ion the conveyor means, meanscontrilled by the sheets as the same are fed from the feeding means tothe conveyor means for effecting the actuation of the sheet arrestingmeans, and means for maintaining the overlapped sheets in overlappedrelation until they are fed into the layboy.

4. A mechanism for overlapping and presenting sheets in overlappedrelation to a layboy comprising means for feeding the sheets in spacedrelation, a longitudinal conveyor means driven at a lesser speed thanthe feeding means and disposed in a plane below the feeding means andbetween the feeding means and the layboy, means controlled by the sheetsas the same are fed from the feeding means for eiecting the arrestmentof the movement of a sheet on said conveyor means so that adjacentsheets are overlapped, said latter means including a stop flnger,electrically actuated means, and means disposed in the path of movementof the sheets on the feeding means and released by the sheetsforrendering the electrically actuated means active to effect the movingof said stop finger into contact with the sheets on the conveyor meansfor arresting the same, and means for maintaining the sheets inoverlapped relation as they enter the layboy.

5. A mechanism for overlapping and presenting sheets in overlappedrelation to a layboy comprising means for feeding the sheets in spacedrelation, a longitudinal conveyor means driven at a lesser speed thanthe feeding means and disposed in a plane below the feeding means andbetween the feeding means and the layboy, means for arresting themovement of each sheet while on the conveyor means so that the same isoverlapped by the following sheet subsequent to the arrestment thereof,said latter means including a stop nger, an electric circuit includingan electro-magnet adapted when energized to render the stop fingeractive to arrest a sheet, and a gravity operated switch normally closingthe circuit andv having an arm disposed in the path of movement of thesheets on the feeding means and actuated when released by the sheets toeffect lllv the closing oi the electric circuit and the energizing oi'the electro-magnet. n 6. A mechanism for overlapping and presentingsheets in overlapped relation to a layboy 5 comprising means i'orfeeding the sheets in spaced relation. a longitudinal conveyor meansdriven at a lesser speed than the feeding means and disposed in a planebelow the feeding means and between the feeding means and the layboy, astop finger, an electric circuit including an elec'- tro-inagnet adaptedwhen energized to render the stop nger active to arrest a sheet as it isrec ived upon the conveyor means, a gravity operated switch normallyclosing the circuit and havu an arm disposed in the path of movement ofthe sheets on the feeding means and actuated when released by the sheetsto elect the closing of the electric circuit and th'e energizing of theelectro-magnet, said arm being adapted to be raised by the succeedingsheet on the i means to effect the opening oi the electric circuit andthe de-energizing of the electro-magnet to therebyrende'r the stoplinger inactive .and to release the arrested sheet so that thesucceeding sheet is kdelivered to the conveyor means in overlappingrelation with the released sheet, and means for maintaining the sheetsin overlapped relation as they are presented to the layboy.

